Marc Marquez frustrated by Thai MotoGP penalty: “They need to be more precise”

Marc Marquez has urged the MotoGP stewards to be “more precise” when giving penalties.

The Spanish rider was given a ‘drop one position’ penalty on the final lap of the 13-lap Thai MotoGP Sprint at Buriram after a move on Pedro Acosta at the final corner on the penultimate lap saw minor contact between the two and sent Acosta into the run-off area.

Marquez confirmed there was a “small contact” between himself and Acosta when speaking afterwards to MotoGP.com, but took issue with the timing of the penalty, which he only saw as he approached the last corner.

“There was a contact,” the factory Ducati rider said. “Was a small contact, but my bike was a half-bike in front already from the entry. 

“So, the stewards decided to give a penalty. Okay. In my opinion, that penalty, that message, arrived too late because it arrived only in the last corner. 

“If they want to have this system, if they want to be more strict, they need to send the penalty already at the exit of turn three. Don’t wait until the last corner.”

He added: “If they want to be more strict, they need to be more precise when they send the penalties because you cannot send after two minutes. 

“If see already that it’s a clear penalty, send straight away in 20 seconds, but okay. I don’t know why they send only in the last corner.”

Marquez will start second in tomorrow’s Thai Grand Prix behind Marco Bezzecchi, who crashed from the lead on lap two in the Sprint.

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